Freezin’ for a Reason: Columbia Field Hockey Takes Part in Polar Plunge

Ten members of the field hockey program, including players and coaches, took part in the Polar Plunge at Great Kills Beach at the National Gateway Park in New York.

Dec 09, 2010

Courtesy of Columbia Sports Information/Media
Relations

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- It's December in New York,
which means most people have dug out their winter coats, hats,
scarves and gloves. But on Sunday, December 5, members of the
Columbia field hockey team were grabbing their bathing suits and
towels in preparation for a dip into the Atlantic Ocean!

Ten members of the field hockey program, including players and
coaches, took part in the Fourth Annual Staten Island Polar Plunge
at Great Kills Beach at the National Gateway Park in New York.

"The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraiser held at Great Kills
Beach on Staten Island, for the New York Special Olympics,"
explained sophomore goalkeeper Christie O'Hara. "Several field hockey
players have participated in past years, and we were all very
excited that our coaches worked up the courage to join us this
year. As a group, we surpassed our original $1000 goal, and through
donations from family and friends, we ended up raising $1,150!"

Each year, Special Olympics Polar Plunge's are held throughout the
country to attract thousands of chilled souls to engage in a
commendable and thrilling fundraising event. Earlier this year,
thanks to over 2,000 committed plungers, seven separate Special
Olympics New York plunges raised more than $600,000. All funds
support the Special Olympics programs and promote awareness of
people living with intellectual disabilities in New York.

"It is great to see the hundreds of people of all ages who
participate in this event every year," said O'Hara. "Some
people try to stay as warm as they can, wearing winter hats, water
shoes, and long spandex, and only stick their feet in the
water. But others, including most of our group, dove into the
water wearing only a bikini, and screaming the whole time.
Whichever way you do it, it is a really fun event and a great story
to tell! How many people can say that they have jumped into the
Atlantic Ocean in December?"

So what does it feel like to go for a quick swim in the ocean in
the middle of winter?

"The Polar Plunge is a test of your mental strength," O'Hara
said. "There is a lot of anticipation up until the actual
plunge, so it is easy to psych yourself out and convince yourself
that it will be worse than it actually is. The water is very cold
(warmer than the air though!), but we just tried to remind
ourselves that it was for a good cause and that soon enough we
would be back in the heated tent to thaw. We got lucky with the
weather this year; the sun was out and shining, whereas last year
it was snowing!"

Added Freeman, "It was a wonderful event where we were able to
raise money for an important cause while doing some team bonding.
Christie O'Hara did a great job in organizing our group and we were
happy to be a part of it."